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A month ago, Kelly Conheeney walked into Sky Blue FC open tryouts. Tonight, she scored the game-winner to hand two-time NWSL Shield winner Seattle Reign FC its first home loss in three years (ISI Photos).

Scoring first in the contest was Hawaiian striker Tasha Kai in her return to the professional game, while midfielder Kelly Conheeney hit the game-winner in the second half. The match was the professional debut for Conheeney, who was invited into Sky Blue FC preseason camp after attending open tryouts just over a month ago, not only earning an eventual roster spot but also a starting nod on Sunday.

“Obviously, we are very happy with this result,” said Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC head coach. “We came in with a game plan, and we executed parts of it. However, we know we can be better. The main thing we want to walk away from this game with is knowing that this is just the first step in a very long journey. We will get back to work this week and focus on some of the things that we did not do so well as we shift our intentions to Washington.”

Sky Blue FC got on the scoreboard first in the match on a play that started in the middle of the attack by Kai. After a couple of knocks, the ball landed at the feet of midfielder Sarah Killion, who one-touched a hard roller to an overlapping Kelley O’Hara on the left flank. The U.S. National Teamer then struck a ball across the mouth of the frame, where Kai went high and redirected a header past a diving Hope Solo. With the tally, the road side saw itself with a 1-0 advantage in the 15th minute of play.

In the 35th minute, Sky Blue FC found itself with a penalty kick opportunity after O’Hara was taken down in the box. Stepping over the attempt was Killion, but Solo chose the correct direction and made a diving save to her right side, keeping the tally at 1-0.

The host Reign eventually leveled the count in the 52nd minute on a series that was started by forward Kim Little inside the Sky Blue FC penalty area. The Scottish international sent distribution forward to midfielder Jessica Fishlock, who then chopped a lobbing ball to the far post. There to collect was forward Merritt Mathias, putting away the assist to make it even at a goal each.

Sky Blue FC continued to scrap in an effort to regain the lead, and that moment came in the 67th minute. After midfielder Taylor Lytle raced down a ball on the far side of the Seattle penalty area, she looked and saw space in front of her. As Solo began to close the gap, she chipped a ball over the Reign netminder, where Conheeney was there to bury the ball with a back-heel volley. With the notch, Sky Blue FC again saw itself with a one-goal advantage, and it would never relinquish that lead.

Sky Blue FC started six players who had never logged an NWSL minute before tonight, although one would never know that based off their performances (Caroline Casey, Kelly Conheeney, Tasha Kai, Raquel Rodriguez, Erin Simon, Erica Skroski). Casey had an incredible showing in goal for Sky Blue FC, recording seven saves in the encounter.

“All credit must go to our players,” Holly concluded. “They bought in and followed the plan, and we are extremely proud of them. We cannot wait to get back home to New Jersey to play in front of our home fans this coming Sunday.”

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